Charlie

Well the insurance company paid out and I managed to negotiate a payout of 9k, which I am happy with. So I am now the owner of a BMW 325i, which I am pretty impressed with if I am honest. Totally different animal to the Zed, but I love the steptronic gearbox which is very responsive and it has all the toys, gadgets etc.

 

Did think about getting another 350, but think I will wait until the 370 comes down to a more affordable price.

That's not a bad payout really, considering. I'd still push for more, but there's not a massive amount out there to back your case up right now.

Yeah I have done a fair bit of research on it once I realised it was highly likely to not come back to me and you are right, there is not much about at the same level.

The problem is I only like a few cars that are in my budget.

Write it off to a bad experience, and get another car. If you buy another Zed at this point it won't feel the same, and there's plenty of interesting metal out there for £8.5K-ish to play with should you choose. What year and mileage was your car out of interest? Sorry if I've missed you mentioning it already.

That is exactly how I feel right now. I keep swaying towards another 350, but then think get something else for a year or 18 months and then get a 370 and then a GT86 when the price lowers. It was an 06 at 67000 miles. Had the GT pack too.

Well, at the least push back on the offer. You don't have to accept their first one. Get examples of Zeds like your old one and prove what it is worth to replace.

 

If you can essentially buy the same thing for £8.5k then fair enough...l!!

I'd need a bit more to get what I want. They knocked off a bit because they said it needed a new rear tyre?? Quite why that matters I have no idea.

Bloody outrageous Hope you can get it sorted

It is, and bloody annoying too, although it is just another pile of poo to step over and get on with.

I'd have the car back and cancel the claim if you can afford for someone decent to look after it.

 

I work in insurance and the cost of used parts is so high they can profit for cars they declare as right offs by breaking them instead

That is the problem. I am not sure I would want it back now. I can buy it back for 2k but I have no desire to go down the route of having it repaired, and it could cost me alot of money.

I have just done an insurance search and bizarrely my insurance is now cheaper on a Zed.

Thanks for the replies guys, and yes I have to admit I was shocked when the garage told me that. The assessor for Sainsburys bank called me today and confirmed it is a total loss. He estimated it to be 13k to get it on the road, however, he did say that was for the basic and didn't allow for any other work that may get found. So, at the moment, I have an offer, which after I take my excess off (£500) I am left with just over 8.5k. So now my dilemma starts, do I go and get another Zed or get something different.

I test drove and Audi A3 sport today and it was ok, then a 1 series BMW, which was awful and finally after much persuasion from my wife I drove a Merc SLK 200 convertible. Out of those the Audi was the best, reasonable pick up and not too bad inside. BUT, it's no comparison to the Zed....

Well, today was not the best for me. My beloved Zed is a total loss. Spoke to the garage this morning and the engineer came out on Friday and they told me the total cost for new engine etc is 16k. So that looks like my time owning one has lasted 6 months.

Have a look at the thread I started on this. I did the same and the car is now fine. It didn't hydrolock but water somehow put the fire out. After the garage gave it the all clear, I spent some time drying out the interior as the body doesn't drain water out. I had to remove the seats and trim panels to lift the carpet to do this, but its all fine now. Overall it cost about £350, so if yours is similar, don't claim on your insurance, although its too late now as you have already informed them.

 

Trouble is IMO, if a garage knows it is an insurance job they will start totting it all up, ie replace full carpet rather than just spending time drying it etc etc, whereas a trusted local garage who know YOU are paying will try to keep costs down for you. If the engine is not fubar'd by hydrolock, I would seriously suggest stopping the claim and taking it elsewhere

Thankfully no water came inside the car, it is just the engine. I have absolutely no idea of what to do when it comes to mechanical things, even though my father was a mechanic, it just doesn't interest me and if I start messing around with anything that will be the car knackered. It's only money, and the insurance can pay, I have never claimed in my life so this will be a first. Thankfully I am in a pretty good financial position to not have to worry.

Thanks for the replies guys. The car was picked up last Thursday by the approved repairer. They said it will most likely be next week before I hear what is going to happen and the assessors report has been done. Couldn't help but think I wouldn't drive it again as it was taken away. The guy who collected it said it is unbelievable what is being written off lately.

So it is a waiting game now I guess. The wife has already got her eye on something different if it is a total loss. She can think again.

 

Fingers crossed, if not then there are plenty more Zed's in the sea....

 

 

Even though I am a gooner, I'll accept your sympathy :wink:

Thanks for the replies guys. The car was picked up last Thursday by the approved repairer. They said it will most likely be next week before I hear what is going to happen and the assessors report has been done. Couldn't help but think I wouldn't drive it again as it was taken away. The guy who collected it said it is unbelievable what is being written off lately.

So it is a waiting game now I guess. The wife has already got her eye on something different if it is a total loss. She can think again.

Where in the country are you? Just so people can point you in the direction of a good garage or can maybe help you. ( although tbh not likly at this time of year)

I am in sodden Devon, 20 miles from Plymouth. The insurance company have given my details to their approved repairer, and they are going to give me a courtesy car, did ask if they had any 370z's there.

Your garage will probably do the above and let it dry for awhile and see if it's ok.

 

That would be ace if that worked. I have no idea whatsoever about cars. I just like to drive them, so if something goes wrong, I always fear it will cost me loads.

Sadly I am not at all mechanically minded and the thought of removing anything on my Zed scares me silly. Hopefully the garage will call me on Monday and come have a look after Christmas. A few people have said it may dry out and be ok. Not holding much hope for that solution.

Well today I took my pride and joy out to do the shopping, set off and came across a puddle of water, held back and watched a couple of cars negotiate it ok, so set off, everything fine until some frikkin idiot ploughed through the water, and yes, my Z went a bit further and died on me. :-(

 

Have called the insurance company and they have agreed I can make a claim, but obviously at this time of year it's going to be a few days until someone can come out and see the car. All the lights, air con, etc etc works fine. Am totally gutted and keep telling myself it is only a car and at least myself and my daughter (who was in the car) are ok and it wasn't an accident.

Was driving along the A379 on Monday 24th Sept and there was a black 350 two cars in front of me. I was in my wife's Polo they drove to the roundabout at Aveton Gifford and back the way they came. Anyone?

Think mine must be due a P3

 

 

What parts do I need and approx cost please? Will have to try and source a specialist in the Southampton area to do the labour.

 

 

Nicky,

 

You will have PM shortly

 

Alex

 

Mine will be due a P3 in the new year. Wasn't planning on taking it to Nissan as they are right robbing whatsits down here. Could you PM me with parts needed and rough idea of costs please?

Welcome. Have had mine for 3 weeks and trust me, you will not regret buying one. I have had all sorts of cars over the past 25 years, FWD, RWD, Turbos etc etc and this is by far the best car I have owned.

06 Black Zed in Devon between Plymouth and Torquay.

 

Think I saw this today!

 

I hope not as I have worked all day and the wife is NOT insured to drive it.

06 Black Zed in Devon between Plymouth and Torquay.

I am 6ft 1" and find the Zed ok. I do sit a little more upright than most people though.

I have had mine for 2 weeks now and had the same issues. Just a little more revs in 1st and it is fine.

Picked it up, and I LOVE IT. It is everything I thought it would be and more, the problem is, it just begs to be driven. Can't wait until next week as we have the week off.

Update. Got him to move a little on the price to a point we were both happy and a reasonable warranty length, so I am picking it up tomorrow evening. Can't wait if I am honest, I am like a kid in a sweet shop. Managed to get the insurance price down too £324 which is actually cheaper than I paid for the Hyundai. Just need the private plate now

 

Pics will follow

Tested it this evening and even if I do not buy this one, I am getting one. Looked up the book price in the latest Parkers guide from an independent dealer and it says £9280, so will have to see if he will move on the price.

I am amazed at the price differences from insurers, no wonder they are making millions of pounds profit.

 

I have had various quotes using compare the market with Sainsburys bank coming in cheapest at £382 (off the top of my head) up to £1400.

I am 41, full NCB, an SP50 conviction also have full no claims on my van policy and a named driver on the wifes car too. It's a minefield that's for sure.

 

Not Zed related, but I bought my wife her first car back in April, a 2001 VW Polo (1.4) and was quoted £750 online with Aviva, I gave them a call, and after various negotiations I got it for £175 fully comp, just by threatening to cancel all my policies. Think I may give that a try with a Zed.

I am also in Devon, so if I get mine would be good to meet up.